Ribbon is cut to officially open Eastern Bay link road

The £57 million Eastern Bay link road in Cardiff was officially opened on Thursday.

The dual carriageway, which is named after the late engineer and planner Ewart Parkinson, and whose family were at Thursday's opening ceremony, will improve links to Cardiff Bay, reducing journey times and helping to ease congestion in the city centre.

Ffordd Ewart Parkinson will also boost the local economy by improving access to the Central Cardiff Enterprise Zone and enhancing connectivity across the wider city region.

The road, which was completed by Dawnus Ferrovial Agroman on time and within budget, provided 13 apprenticeships, two work experience placements and jobs for nine graduates and 27 people who were previously long-term unemployed.

First Minister Carwyn Jones, who cut the ribbon to officially open the road on Thursday, said: "I am delighted to officially open Ffordd Ewart Parkinson, which will provide a major boost to both Cardiff city centre and the Bay.

"Commuters will benefit from a shorter route and reduced journey times, while local residents will see reduced traffic and disruption in their neighbourhood.

"Improving infrastructure and transport links, reducing journey times and creating jobs has been a long term commitment for my Government and this major project is another example of how we are delivering on those promises."

Cllr Caro Wild, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport at Cardiff Council, said: "The new road will greatly improve journey times, ease congestion and connections for motorists and will be a great boost to Cardiff and Cardiff Bay.

"Cardiff is booming at the moment and projected to be one of the fastest growing cities in terms of population growth.

"As an administration, we have a very bold vision for that and no doubt that will include sustainable modes of transport as well as high quality road links."

The two-lane dual carriageway connects the west end of the road to the Queensgate roundabout and the east end connecting to the Ocean Way roundabout.